281—19.8(256E) Founding group-state board model. A founding group may apply to the state board for approval to establish and operate a charter school within the boundaries of the state that operates as a new attendance center independently from a public school district. The application shall demonstrate the founding group’s academic and operational vision and plans for the proposed charter school, demonstrate the founding group’s capacity to execute the vision and plans, and provide the state board a clear basis for assessing the founding group’s plans and capacity.
	19.8(1) Founding group-state board model application. An application submitted under this rule shall include all of the following items related to the proposed charter school:
	a. 	An executive summary.
	b. 	The mission and vision of the proposed charter school, including identification of the targeted student population and the community the school intends to serve.
	c. 	The location of the proposed charter school or the proposed geographic area within the state where the school is proposed to be located.
	d. 	Identification of the grades to be served each school year during the duration of the charter school contract.
	e. 	Minimum, planned, and maximum enrollment per grade for each school year during the duration of the charter school contract.
	f. 	Evidence of need and community support for the proposed charter school.
	g. 	Background information on the members of the founding group and background information on the governing board, administration, and management personnel of the proposed charter school, if available (if any or all of this information is not available, a projected date by which it will be available).
	h. 	The charter school’s proposed operations calendar and sample daily schedule.
	i. 	A description of the academic program and identification of ways the program aligns with state academic standards.
	j. 	A description of the charter school’s instructional model, including the type of learning environment, class size and structure, curriculum overview, and teaching methods.
	k. 	The charter school’s plan for using internal and external assessments to measure and report student progress on the performance framework in accordance with Iowa Code section 256E.9.
	l. 	Plans for identifying and serving students with disabilities, students who are English learners, students who are academically failing or below grade level, and gifted students, including but not limited to compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
	m. 	A description of cocurricular and extracurricular programs and how the programs will be funded and delivered.
	n. 	Plans and timelines for student recruitment, enrollment, and transfers, including enrollment preferences and procedures for conducting transparent admissions selections, including admissions lotteries.
	o. 	The proposed code of student conduct, including applicable procedures and disciplinary sanctions for both general students and special education students.
	p. 	A chart or description of the charter school’s organizational structure and the duties and powers of each position or group, including the delineation of authority and reporting between the governing board, staff, and any related bodies or external organizations that have a role in managing the charter school.
	q. 	A staffing chart for the charter school’s first year and a staffing plan for the duration of the charter school contract.
	r. 	Plans for recruiting and developing school administrators, staff, and governing board members and the charter school’s employment policies, including performance evaluation plans.
	s. 	Proposed governing bylaws for the charter school.
	t. 	Identification and explanation of any partnerships or contractual relationships with an education service provider that are related to the charter school’s operations or mission.
	u. 	The charter school’s plans for providing transportation services, food service, and all other operational or ancillary services (including compliance with any requirement imposed by federal law on public charter schools).
	v. 	Proposed opportunities and expectations for parent involvement.
	w. 	A detailed school start-up plan and five-year plan, including all relevant assumptions used, identifying timelines for charter school finances, budget, and insurance coverage; facility construction, preparation, and contingencies; and the identification of persons or positions responsible for each such item.
	x. 	Evidence of anticipated fundraising contributions, if any.
	y. 	If the application includes a proposal that the governing board contracts with an education service provider, evidence of the education service provider’s success in serving student populations similar to that which is proposed in the application and if the education service provider operates other charter schools, evidence of past performance of such other charter schools and evidence of the education service provider’s capacity for growth.
	z. 	If the application includes a proposal that the governing board contracts with an education service provider, a description of the education service provider’s staff performance evaluation measures and compensation structure, methods of contract oversight and dispute resolution, investment disclosures, and conflicts of interest.
	aa. 	A proposed duration and outline of the charter school contract, including designation of roles, authority, and duties of the governing board and the charter school staff.
	ab. 	The specific statutes and administrative rules with which the charter school does not intend to comply. The department shall provide technical assistance to the applicant concerning statutes and administrative rules that may be waived under the charter school contract in order to facilitate the goals of the charter school.
	19.8(2) Special rule. A charter school application under this rule shall not be approved if the founding group has another pending application under this rule.
[ARC 6078C, IAB 12/15/21, effective 1/19/22; ARC 6724C, IAB 12/14/22, effective 1/18/23]